Wednesday, February 15, 2023

           Near the end of his life and the book of Deuteronomy, Moses sang to the people of Israel.  He had led Israel out of Egypt, through the parted waters of the Red Sea and in the wilderness but he would not enter the Promised Land.  Because of his disobedience, God prohibited Moses from entering the new land.  So, Moses was entering the final stanzas of his life and leadership over Israel.  As he sang, Moses declared these words, “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.  I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:2-3).  Moses shared some truths that can still connect with us today.
            First, we want our lives to be open to God’s Word.  May the truth and wisdom of God rain down on us like showers from the sky and like the morning dew on a dry land.  God’s Word refreshes us and refills us.  It is always available to us.  We simply have to open it and embrace it.  We are dry, parched and even barren without His Word.  Be intentional about pouring the Word of God into your life.  Use the Bible primarily.  In addition, you can look to some trusted Bible teachers and proclaimers who can help you understand God’s Word.
            Second, soak up Scripture when you read it.  What are these words saying to you here and now and the circumstances that you may be facing or battling?  Read Scripture with a pen or highlighter in hand so you can note the things that speak loudly to you and impact your walk with the Lord.  Just as you might season or marinate food before cooking and eating, take time to let God’s Word seep into your life and connect with you.
            Third, proclaim the name of the Lord over the battles and trials that you may face.  Keep the Lord’s name in your mind.  Speak His name prayerfully through the day when you feel tempted, threatened, thwarted or tossed about.  There is both power and strength in the name of the Lord.  Keeping His name in mind allows us to realize that we do not live alone or walk alone.  His presence is with us and goes before us.  If we are followers of Christ, we wear His name.  Our perspective in life is directly connected to our faith and belief in who the Lord is and that He will do what He has promised to do.
            Fourth, praise the greatness of God.  Look for reasons why you can praise Him.  look for reasons to be thankful and grateful.  When we practice things like praise and gratitude, we discover that our heart grows.  We become increasingly more grateful and thankful.  Name and acknowledge what He has done for you.  We often find or fight our way through discouragement and battles by turning to gratitude and praise.  When we see where God has been at work and how He has blessed us already, we find that some of our trials and battles begin to recede. 
            Moses sang another song In Exodus—shortly after reaching the other side of the Red Sea and escaping from the approaching Egyptian army.  He sang, “The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”  If you are a parent or grandparent, take time to teach your children or grandchildren the lessons of praise, giving thanks and exalting the Lord.  Invest in their faith and their walk with the Lord.  Leave them a worthy legacy and heritage to trust and embrace.  If you share your gratitude and praise with others you even become a witness for the Lord and possibly open doors to share the gospel—the greatest gift God has ever offered in His Son.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!  Join us tonight for a full slate of activities.  And worship anytime at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.